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    Home » Appetizers

    The Best Dry Rub for Ribs

    Published: May 11, 2022 » Modified: May 20, 2022 » By: Kylie » This post may contain affiliate links. » 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    This quick and easy dry rub for ribs is such a simple recipe and it lasts up to 6 months in the cupboard! Use it to add a delicious layer of flavor to anything you grill or smoke!

    Overhead shot of a mason jar filled with rib rub seasoning.
    Table of Contents show
    1 You Will Love This
    2 Ingredients and Substitutions
    3 Instructions
    4 Tips
    5 Variations
    6 How to Use
    7 Use With
    8 FAQ
    9 Make-Ahead and Reheating
    10 More Easy Recipes
    11 Recipe
    12 Dry Rub

    You Will Love This

    • This rib rub recipe is necessary to make the best ribs on your smoker - they literally fall right off the bone! It pairs perfectly with your favorite barbecue sauce and will add the most delicious flavor to your rack of ribs.
    • The secret ingredients in this rib rub are actually common pantry spices that you've probably already got on hand!
    • If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my easy smoked ribs, smoked mac and cheese, smoked meatloaf, and smoked queso dip.
    White marble counter top with bowls of ingredients to make homemade rib rub.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    • Dark Brown Sugar
    • Kosher Salt
    • Chili Powder
    • Cumin
    • Garlic Powder
    • Onion Powder
    • Paprika
    • Black Pepper
    • Mustard Powder

    Instructions

    Add ingredients to a small bowl.

    White bowl filled with ingredients to make a rib rub.

    Mix until well combined.

    Overhead shot of a white bowl filled with rib rub seasoning.

    Use it to season your favorite slow-smoked beef ribs recipe!

    Tips

    • You can totally customize this recipe to make it your own! Feel free to add more or less of your favorite flavors and notice how it subtly changes the overall flavor of the recipe and the taste of the ribs. This is a great blueprint for you to use as a starting point and once you get comfortable you can jazz it up as you wish!
    • Don't worry about the recipe being sweet. There is a decent amount of sweetness from the brown sugar in the rub but all the other spices and a moderate amount of salt balance out the flavor. The sugar will add a delicious molasses flavor.

    Variations

    Use this recipe as a blueprint and make it your own by adding different flavors! Some of our family's favorites include:

    • cayenne pepper
    • dried herbs
    • Italian seasoning
    • smoked paprika
    • celery salt
    • cinnamon

    How to Use

    This is the best rib rub to use with my easy smoked ribs recipe! Be sure to check out the full recipe for details but here are the basics:

    • Remove the membrane and rub the back of the ribs with mustard (to help the rub stick), then add the dry rub.
    • Repeat with the meat side of the ribs. Wrap in foil or plastic wrap to marinate for 15 minutes or up to 48 hours.
    • Then use the 3, 2,1 method of smoking to get perfectly juicy, tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs!
    Overhead shot of a mason jar filled with rib rub seasoning.

    Use With

    • baby-back ribs
    • chicken thighs
    • pork ribs
    • steaks
    • pork chops
    • chicken
    • spare ribs

    FAQ

    How long should dry rub be on ribs before cooking?

    Anywhere from 15 minutes to 48 hours. You'll want the dry rub to sit on the ribs for at least 15 minutes to tenderize the meat and draw out the moisture, but you can refrigerate the ribs coated in the dry rub for up to 48 hours.

    What do you put on ribs before dry rub?

    It may seem counterintuitive since it's called a dry rub, but it's best to add a layer of Dijon or yellow mustard to your ribs before adding the dry rub! The vinegar helps to break down and tenderize the meat and then the dry rub helps to draw the moisture to the surface to develop the bark.

    Do you leave dry rub on ribs?

    Yes! The dry rub goes on while you are prepping the ribs and then it stays on throughout the cooking process. It helps to create the bark and flavor the meat.

    Make-Ahead and Reheating

    • Make-Ahead: This dry rub recipe will stay good for up to 6 months so I'll often double the recipe so I know I've always got some on hand.
    • Storage: Store the dry rub in a mason jar in a cool, dry place. I like to store mine in the pantry or in my spice drawer.

    More Easy Recipes

    • Easy 15-Minute Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
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    Questions?
    Leave a comment below!
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    Made this dish?
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    Print

    Recipe

    Dry Rub

    Print Recipe
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    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 review

    This quick and easy dry rub for ribs is such a simple recipe and it lasts up to 6 months in the cupboard! Use it to add a delicious layer of flavor to anything you grill or smoke!

    • Author: Kylie
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 0 minutes
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: about 1 cup of seasoning 1x
    • Category: Appetizer
    • Method: No Cook
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • ½ cup dark brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons Kosher salt
    • 2 tablespoons chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon cumin
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • 1 tablespoon paprika
    • 1 tablespoon fresh cracked pepper
    • 2 teaspoons mustard powder

    Instructions

    1. Combine ingredients in a bowl.
    2. Transfer to a mason jar and use to make your favorite slow-smoked beef ribs!

    Equipment

    Image of wide mouth mason jar

    wide mouth mason jar

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    • You can totally customize this recipe to make it your own! Feel free to add more or less of your favorite flavors and notice how it subtly changes the overall flavor of the recipe and the taste of the ribs. This is a great blueprint for you to use as a starting point and once you get comfortable you can jazz it up as you wish!
    • Don't worry about the recipe being sweet. There is a decent amount of sweetness from the brown sugar in the rub but all the other spices and a moderate amount of salt balance out the flavor. The sugar will add a delicious molasses flavor.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 45
    • Sugar: 8.3 g
    • Sodium: 661 mg
    • Fat: 0.5 g
    • Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
    • Carbohydrates: 10.7 g
    • Fiber: 1.1 g
    • Protein: 0.7 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: rib rub

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Luke

      May 11, 2022 at 1:13 pm

      I love how simple yet flavorful this rub is! I didn't have to go to the store for anything because I had it all on hand already which was perfect.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    Primary Sidebar

    HELLO FROM THE MIDWEST - I'm Kylie and as a mom and blogger, I understand how hard it can be to get a wholesome dinner on the table at the end of a long day. Here at Midwest Foodie, I focus on sharing simple recipes that make it easy to feed your family real food.

    More about me →

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